John Atkinson, over at Wrong Hands, has me in stitches. Chortling, nonstop. The way this man thinks is right up my alley. And yes, I have asked to use his cartoons as a jumping off point for cookies. I may or may not have requested permission and then bribed him with cookies. In any case, this set started with inspiration from the brilliant brain of John and modified with some Mayer mania. It was my set to encourage someone that they could do it! It’s all about the CAN do attitude.
So my amazing friend Lisa was fast approaching another birthday. How could I make her laugh and let her know that she is showing no signs of aging? By expressing my sentiments in cookie, of course.
This box of cookies was taken to a Croquet and Rose’ themed birthday by a party guest. Got to love a cute theme that rhymes! And what could go wrong at a party that mixes excessive amounts of wine with a large mallet and heavy, hard ball?
I may or may not have had to do some “research” about rose’ wine???????
I am so happy for Katherine- that she is graduating from high school and heading to Pitt to study neuroscience. But, dang, she is the youngest of the swim kids with whom our children hung out! All this growing up is happening! An era of chlorine is over (I mean, even Michael Phelps is retired now). Yikes!
In any case, it was one last graduation set to make. I made two platters: one focused on the nerdy inclinations and the other on her future university, Pitt.
For the Geek inside us all (okay, maybe not ALL of us), I focused on some biological responses. #nerdsrule #chemistryiseverywhere Those stamped clever/nerdy sayings came from pencils I bought from Newton and the Apple.
But my favorite was the Myelin sheath dress. (I try to come up with my own clever creations whenever possible. I think this is another Mama Mayer original.)
Lastly, here are a couple of close ups for the Pitt cookies. I have a thing for puffy cookies….
2016 Fathers Day set #2. Although this set could be for anyone who has been supportive! These particular cookies were for a guy that LOVES his breakfasts. Has been known to have breakfast for dinner or snacks some days. And, perhaps more notably, he is the MOST wonderful dad (okay, truth in lending, my hubby is the inspiration for these). He has been so supportive of our two girls and has doled out some hysterical and on point advice…unlike their mother, he gives it only when asked!). We are incredibly fortunate!
To make the waffle, I started with a square cookie and iced a square grid as shown below. While I let the grid dry, I made the egg, butter pat, and bacon on a separate piece of acetate (or use parchment paper) and let that sit overnight. Next, I thinned down a small batch of ivory tinted royal icing to a very runny consistency and poured that over the square cookie, letting excess run off. As that set up, I made the ‘syrup’ icing and peeled off the egg, etc transfers. I painted on some dimension to the small squares within the waffle and let that dry. Then I semi-poured, semi-helped (with a paint brush) the syrup icing to flow where i wanted it. Added the transfers and stamped the words. Quite happy with how the waffle turned out. The bacon needs work.
Lots of catching up to do on this blog… going back to Father’s Day in June!!! For greeting cards and cookiers alike, ‘power’ tools are a big point of conversation during this yearly celebration. Of course, I had to create a “word play” take on that theme:
For the last 3 years I have made garden themed cookies for my green thumbed friend (best gardener ever) Kathy’s birthday. Here is the 2016 version. Hope she found them to be ‘cool as a cucumber!’
Can’t believe that our baby girl is graduating from University. Not such a baby anymore. We are unbelievably proud of her. As a nod to her achievement, I made these quick three cookies: jumbo-sized for her jumbo-sized accomplishments! Way to go!
Cookies occupy a lot of my time. True, I do put a lot of effort and attention to detail into crafting these creations- but I do understand that they are, after all, just cookies. This is why, when I get a chance to (perhaps) help others with my quirky abilities, I contribute. Our local chapter of Project Healing Waters was having a auction fund raiser to which I donated a basket. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.™ is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. Those lovely Rocky Mountains fit this purpose beautifully. Tried my best to make this basket so fly (fishing).
My friend and neighbor, Judy, who is on the Denver chapter board.
I may or may not be a bit obsessive about hummus. I mean, the chick pea IS quite delicious when reinvented in all those hummus forms and flavors. And so I give you my cookie homage to crudite and dip. Hummus is where the heart is, or stomach…
Mama Mayer Bakery 